Two female staff and a male customer were in the Spar shop in Winlaton, Gateshead, yesterday when a gang of four men burst in.

While one stood as look-out at the door, the other three threatened the shop staff, who were a middle aged woman and a young pregnant woman.

One of the three was armed with a handgun which he pointed at the women and demanded the takings.

The gang then fled the store on Church Street with a three-figure sum.

It is believed that the weapon has been recovered by the police.

Neither of the staff or the customer who were in the shop at the time were hurt but they were left shaken by their ordeal.

The first shop owner Graham Grant knew about the crime was when one of the women rang him and he went straight over.

Mr Grant, 52, who runs the store with his wife Kathleen, said: "They were calm when I got there and the police had arrived.

"They told me that four men rushed in, one stood at the door and the other three came into the shop. One of them had a handgun which I am told has been recovered."

Mr Grant, has owned the shop for 22 years, and before that was a driver at the local bus depot. He was full of praise for his staff.

"It happened so fast they didn’t have time to think," he said.

"All their training came in, they were superb. We train them to comply and never to get into a confrontation and that’s what they did they remained extremely calm. Nothing like this has ever happened at the store before.

"I am just very pleased my staff are safe, that’s what I am concerned about, its a family business and anything else can be repaired but the staff are the important thing."

Mr Grant closed the store after the robbery which happened just before 7.40pm but it was open and business as usual today.

Northumbria Police say the gang made off with a small amount of cash.

"All three are described as wearing dark clothing and with their faces concealed by masks," said the spokesman.

"No persons were injured as a result of this incident however staff on the premises were left extremely shaken."

Detectives urge anyone who witnessed the robbery and who has information to call police on 03456 043 043 or crime stoppers 0800 555 111.